Free & Affordable Activities in Georgia

1. Arabia Mountain

Arabia Mountain is the northernmost of the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve's two prominent mountain peaks, separated from Bradley Mountain several hundred feet to its south. The two mountains form one of Metro Atlanta's three monadnock formations together, located within DeKalb County within their entirety. Visitors can explore the mountain's terrain as a public county park, which is open to the public for free seven days a week between dawn and dusk. The mountain's unique topography creates an unusual habitat for native flora and fauna, home to five federally-endangered species, including brilliant bright-red diamorpha plants, which live in small vernal pools on the mountain's surface. Year-round guided hikes are hosted at the mountain, along with special events such as the Monadnock Muse art event.

2. Atlanta Monetary Museum

Atlanta Monetary Museum is the official public museum connected to Atlanta's Federal Reserve Bank branch, showcasing delightful free-admission exhibits and artifacts related to the history of currency in the United States and around the world. The museum offers opportunities for self-guided tours for groups of 10 or less during business hours Mondays through Fridays, letting visitors explore delightful exhibits connected to the role the Federal Reserve plays in the national and global economy. The history of American banking is also on display, along with a collection of significant examples of American currency. Visitors can also enjoy guided tours for groups of up to 30 with advance registration for free during select times of the week.

1000 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, Phone: 404-498-8500

3. The Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center

The Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center is a lovely natural haven within metro Atlanta suburb Johns Creek, creating opportunities for area residents and visitors to learn about the region's natural and historical environment. The center is home to several relocated historic buildings, including a general store, church, and farmhouse. Its free-admission visitor center is housed within a preserved 1860 tenant farm house, showcasing exhibits related to the farm's animals and operations. An adjacent farm museum, housed within the homestead's carriage house, features period furniture and artifacts depicting life on an early 20th-century farmstead. Other historic properties at the center include the 1880s-era Summerour House and the Delco Remy generator building. Visitors can enjoy guided cell phone tours of the complex for free and learn about its natural and historical significance.

9770 Autrey Mill Rd, Johns Creek, GA 30022, Phone: 678-366-3511

4. Centennial Olympic Park

Centennial Olympic Park preserves the iconic downtown Atlanta public park constructed in honor of the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games, preserved today by the Georgia World Congress Center Authority. The lovely 21-acre park serves as a symbolic memorial to the Games, showcasing photo-ready attractions such as an interactive Fountain of Rings meant to evoke the image of the Olympic rings via computerized lighting and water jet synchronization fountain performances each day. A collection of international flags represents all the countries that have hosted the Summer Olympics in the modern era, while a selection of sculptures honors important Olympic athletes and figures. A plethora of public special events are showcased at the park throughout the year, including an annual Fourth of July fireworks display and a Wednesday WindDown summer concert series.

265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, Phone: 404-223-4412

5. The Cohutta-Chattahoochee Scenic Byway

The Cohutta-Chattahoochee Scenic Byway stretches along United States Route 41 through the beautiful Chattahoochee National Forest, stretching for 54 miles from the town of Chatsworth to Fort Mountain State Park. The route offers some of Georgia's most breathtaking views of the Cohutta Mountains and passes beautiful historic sites, including Prater's Mill, a working water-powered grist mill constructed in 1855 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Civil War sites along the route include the Dalton Confederate Cemetery and Memorial Wall, which preserves the gravesites of more than 200 Confederate soldiers. Beautiful 3,700-acre Fort Mountain State Park offers hiking trails and archaeological remains, while the town of Ellijay, known as Georgia's Apple Capital, is home to quaint apple houses offering fruit tastings throughout the harvest season.

6. The David J. Sencer CDC Museum

The David J. Sencer CDC Museum is a free-admission museum located within the headquarters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in downtown Atlanta, offering a plethora of exhibits connected to the history of public health and disease prevention. The free-admission museum was originally opened as the Global Health Odyssey Museum in 1996, meant to honor the CDC's 50th anniversary celebration. Today, it showcases a variety of rotating exhibits detailing past major disease epidemics, public disease prevention campaigns, and notable medicinal cures and discoveries in American and global history. Visitors can also learn about the history of the CDC and gain information on how to help prevent disease spread in their daily lives.

1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329, Phone: 404-639-0830

7. The Enduring Farmlands Georgia Scenic Byway

The Enduring Farmlands Georgia Scenic Byway

Folkston Railroad Depot and Train Museum preserves the former Folkston depot of the Atlantic Coast Line railroad, which operated between 1900 and 1967 when it merged with the Seaboard Air Line Railroad to form the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad route. The historic depot was moved from the city's railroad tracks to its current location in Folkston's downtown district in 1976 and converted into a local railroad and culture museum. Today, visitors can explore the lovely railroad museum and learn about the city's railroading heritage, which played a significant part in shaping the city's social and cultural history throughout the early 20th century. Artifacts on display include a model train exhibits, a radio retrospective showcasing four decades of radio communication, and a train-watching platform for the Folkston Funnel.

16 Oakwood St, Folkston, GA 31537, Phone: 912-276-0000

9. The Georgia Capitol Museum

The Georgia Capitol Museum preserves the history of the historic headquarters of Georgia's executive and legislative government branches, listed as a National Historic Landmark for its gorgeous architectural significance and relevance to the state's history. The capitol building's fourth floor is home to a free-admission museum that is open to the public during normal business hours Mondays through Fridays, offering guided and self-guided tour experiences. Exhibits showcase artifacts related to the state's cultural, political, social, and natural history, including holdings of items related to the state's ecosystems and indigenous groups. The museum overlooks the state's legislative chambers, offering opportunities for viewing government facilities up close. All of the Capitol's public facilities are also free to explore, including its lovely Hall of Valor, honoring the state's military history through a display of historic battle flags.

206 State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334, Phone: 404-463-4536

10. The Georgia Governor's Mansion

The Georgia Governor's Mansion has housed every state governor of Georgia since its construction in 1968, including future United States President Jimmy Carter during his service to the state's executive branch. The mansion was designed in the beautiful Greek Revival architectural style by noted architect Thomas Bradbury, located on 30 landscaped acres within the Tuxedo Park neighborhood in northwest metro Atlanta. It is open to the public as a living history museum today, showcasing over 30 rooms spanning 24,000 acres, including a formal ballroom that has hosted major state events. Visitors can enjoy free public tours throughout the week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings and explore interior and exterior spaces, including its outdoor swimming pool, greenhouse, and tennis courts.

391 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305, Phone: 404-261-1776